In response to the increasingly volatile security situation in the Middle East, the Department of Overseas Labor (under the Ministry of Home Affairs) has directed manpower agencies to suspend sending Vietnamese workers to the region and urged immediate measures to ensure the safety of those currently on site.
The directive follows the coordinated airstrikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iranian territory on February 28, an event that has sharply intensified regional tensions. Iran has since initiated retaliatory strikes against US and Israeli targets across the Middle East, including several countries with significant Vietnamese labor populations such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait.
To prioritize the security and safety of Vietnamese citizens, the Department has requested that all licensed labor export agencies temporarily halt the deployment of workers to the Middle East. This suspension will remain in effect until the situation is stabilized and returns to normalcy.
Labor agencies are required to maintain constant communication with host-country partners and employers to stay updated on the conflict. They are expected to take proactive steps to safeguard the security, safety, and legal rights of Vietnamese workers in case of emergency.
Furthermore, agencies have been instructed to provide psychological support to workers currently in the region to prevent panic and anxiety. They must ensure that workers are well-informed of the situation so they can actively cooperate in safety and security protocols.
The Department also emphasized the importance of maintaining regular contact with Vietnamese diplomatic missions and labor management sections at Vietnamese embassies within the region to provide timely updates on the status of the workforce.
According to the Department, approximately 34 Vietnamese enterprises are deploying workers to the Middle East. The total number of Vietnamese guest workers currently living and working across the Middle East is estimated to be over 10,000.
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